Caravan and camping safety

Stay safe and enjoy your holiday

We are working closely with Devon Fire and Rescue Service to bring you information about fire safety when you are camping or caravanning, please see the poster in reception.

We thought we’d also share these top tips too:

Camping and caravanning safety

Keep a torch handy for emergencies – NEVER USE LIGHTED CANDLES

Make sure you know the campsite’s fire safety arrangements and check where the nearest telephone is

Using gas cylinders

Don’t use petrol or paraffin to light a solid fuel stove

Keep flammable liquids (such as petrol and gas cylinders) outside and away from children

Only change gas cylinders when they’re completely empty and store them away from caravans and vehicles

Make sure the gas pipe connection is secure. If you suspect a leak, turn off the main cylinder valve

Never smoke whilst changing your gas

What to do if there is a fire

Keep calm and get everyone out as quickly as you can

Call the fire and rescue service and give the exact location

Give a map reference if possible, or give a landmark such as a farm or pub

Staying in a tent

NEVER USE CANDLES IN OR NEAR A TENT – torches are safer

Keep cooking appliances away from the tent walls as they could easily set alight

Never cook inside a small tent

Don’t cook near flammable materials or long grass, they can set alight easily

NEVER use a disposable barbecue in your tent or bring it in after use – TOXIC FUMES WILL KILL

Make sure you know how to escape by cutting your way out of the tent if there is a fire

Make sure everyone knows how to put out clothing that’s on fire – stop, drop and roll

Don’t smoke inside tents

Keep a bucket of water or sand nearby for emergencies

Staying in a caravan

Fit and test a smoke alarm in your caravan

Take special care when cooking – don’t leave pans unattended

Turn off all appliances before you go out or to bed

Make sure ashtrays are made of a material that can’t burn – and never smoke in bed

Don’t dry clothes over the stove

Remove any litter and rubbish near the caravan to reduce the risk of fire spreading

Make sure the caravan is ventilated, and never block air vents, to avoid a build up of poisonous gases. Consider keeping a fire extinguisher by the entrance, but always read the instructions before using it

Keep a bucket of water or sand nearby for emergencies

Follow these simple guidelines and you’ll have a fantastic, safe holiday.